FIRE chiefs are calling for home owners to be extra vigilant after being called to an electrical blaze.

Crews from Llandudno and Colwyn Bay attended a blaze at a property in Penrhyn Beach East in Penrhyn Bay at 6.40pm last Friday. The fire started after an electric blanket was switched on accidentally.

The blanket and mattress were completely destroyed in the fire and there was smoke damage to the rest of the property.

North Wales Fire Service’s Darren Jones was in charge of the incident.

He said: “We are advising people to switch off all electrical appliances that are not in use at the wall and therefore if they do get switched on accidentally the power will remain isolated.

“A smoke alarm operated and alerted the occupants to the fire and they called the fire and service. This proves how vital it is for everyone to have smoke alarms installed in their homes as they will give an early warning of a fire.

“They must be maintained regularly by testing the battery once a week and changing it as per manufacturer’s instruction.

“You should never cover up or remove batteries from a smoke alarm as they could not be effective and alert you of a fire.”